Jewish Refugees Arrive in Netherlands West Indies; 5,000 Still in Spain

December 31, 1942

NEW YORK (Dec. 30)

One hundred and four Jewish refugees from Holland are once again on Dutch soil, having arrived on Monday at Surinam, Dutch West Indies, it was announced today by Joseph C. Hyman, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee. The refugees disembarked at Paramaribo from a Portuguese vessel. Their passage was arranged by the Lisbon office of the J.D.C. In addition to the Jewish refugees, there are 14 Catholics and 4 Protestants. The refugees range in age up to 80 years. There are 28 children in the group.

Exiled for two and a half years from Holland, the refugees spent two years in France and then waited in Spain and Portugal for several months until their passage could be arranged. Many of the men among them had taken part in the defense of Holland during the German invasion of the Low Countries. They have expressed their intention to enlist again in the Netherlands armed forces as soon as possible. They have been given asylum in Surinam for the duration with the permission of the Netherlands Government.

Over 5,000 Jewish refugees are still in Spain, according to information just received from J.D.C. European headquarters, it was reported by Mr. Hyman. With the exception of several hundred, the refugees have all arrived since the Summer, when the beginning of deportations from unoccupied France gave rise to panicky crossing of borders in an effort to escape deportation. The subsequent German occupation of Southern France during November spurred this kind of flight even further, Mr. Hyman stated. The J.D.C, he said, is attempting to secure the release of all refugees who are still imprisoned. Many have already been freed.

The names of 2,400 Czechoslovakian Jews who have been deported to Poland are now in its possession, the J.D.C. also announced today. The lists were received from the Federation of Czechoslovakian Jews in London. American relatives of Jews formerly resident in Czechoslovakia may make inquiry at the J.D.C. office in New York City. The lists give the present addresses of the deportees in the various Polish ghettos, but do not show the former city of residence.